In this issue: Hockenberry Tickets, Sound Transit Committee, Client Spotlight, Nominations and September Resources.

Washington Access Fund

Access Fund News

September 2014


Do you have a story to share? Is there something you would like to learn about? Send your ideas to info@washingtonaccessfund.org! We'll include them in our newsletter and/or on Facebook.



Buy Tickets for John Hockenberry at Town Hall Seattle

John HockenberryCome help us celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary and over $2 million in microloans to people with disabiltiies at the Washington Access Fund 10 Year Anniversary Celebration and Benefit. We are excited to announce that John Hockenberry will be speaking on the Future of Universal Design, Assistive Technology, and Disability Rights.

Hockenberry is a journalist and author�a four-time Emmy Award winner and three-time Peabody Award winner who has worked in media since 1980. He has reported from all over the world, has anchored programs for network TV, cable, and radio, and has reported for magazines, newspapers, and online media. He is a prominent figure in the disability rights movement.

In 2007, he was named a Distinguished Fellow at the MIT Media Lab. Since April 2008, Hockenberry has been host of The Takeaway, a live national morning news program created by Public Radio International and WNYC New York. He is author of the nonfiction book Moving Violations: War Zones, Wheelchairs and Declarations of Independence and the novel A River Out Of Eden.

Hockenberry will be speaking at Town Hall Seattle on Tuesday November 11, 2014 at 7:30pm. His presentation will be preceded by a VIP Awards Banquet at 5:00pm in which the Washington Access Fund will be presenting awards to businesses, organizations and individuals who have made a positive impact on people with disabilities in Washington State. (See below for more information on how to submit nominations for awards.)

Click here to buy tickets - VIP Awards Banquet: $100 | General Admission: $15


Sound Transit seeks new Citizen's Accessibility Advisory Committee Members

Sound Transit Light Rail TrainSound Transit is recruiting and selecting nominees for their Citizens' Accessibility Advisory Committee (CAAC) for two-year terms beginning October 2014/2015. Currently there are vacancies for representatives from: North King County, South King County, Pierce County and At-Large representatives.

If you are interested in applying or know of any potential candidates and would like an application emailed to you so you can fill it out or pass it on electronically, please contact Sound Transit at: accessibility@soundtransit.org. Please, use any means possible to spread this opportunity to as many interested individuals as possible.



Client Spotlight: Access Fund Business, Simone & Sylvia, is 2014 American Made Finalist

Plastic Pony Infant Kimono TopAccess Fund business, Simone & Sylvia, is a Martha Stewart 2014 American Made Finalist.The Martha Stewart American Made Awards are meant to honor makers, small-business owners, and creative entrepreneurs in the fields of crafts, design, food, and style. The Plastic Pony children's clothing line from Simone & Sylvia makes, among other things, Infant Kimono Tops in fun, modern prints.

A business loan from the Washington Access Fund helped Simone get the equipment she needed to launch this product line, and we couldn't be more excited for her! Simone says that Plastic Pony is a "line of infant and children's clothing and accessories featuring organic and natural fabrics, designed and styled with retro inspirations." Finalists need votes to win! Help Simone & Sylvia become a winning business by voting for Plastic Pony at: http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/96244/style/plastic-pony-from-simone-and-sylvia.

Interested in purchasing a kimono for the baby in your life? You can find Plastic Pony Infant Kimono Tops at Momo in the International District in Seattle.



Last Call for Nominations!

Gold starsNominations for our Awards Program to recognize businesses, organizations and individuals who have made a positive impact on people with disabilities in Washington State are beginning to come to a close. Deadline is September 30th!

We will present awards to businesses, organizations and individuals who have made noteworthy efforts to include, serve, and help people with disabilities across the state. The application form (PDF or Word Doc) and all of the details including award category descriptions can be found on our website.

Awards will be presented at the Washington Access Fund 10 Year Anniversary Celebration & Benefit at Town Hall Seattle with featured guest speaker John Hockenberry, host of Public Radio International�s The Takeaway. Click here to learn more about the Washington Access Fund Awards Program.

Questions? Contact Meykia Smith at 206-328-5116 or email: meykia@washingtonaccessfund.org


September Resources

Magnifying glass looking up a resource in a bookSeptember 24Webinar: 12 Key Components for Successful School-to-Work Transition. Trainer:� Richard Wilson - School-to-Work Program Manager King County Developmental Disability Division.�

Join Richard for this webinar that will explore the key components for successful transition.� Richard will share lessons learned and evolving practices from the King County program. Click here to learn more and to register.

September 27Wings for Autism �, one of The Arc�s national initiatives, is an airport �rehearsal� specially designed for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, their families and aviation professionals. The Arc of King County, in collaboration with The Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will be hosting it's second Wings for Autism � at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on September 27th, 2014. Click here for more information about Wings for Autism.

October 17 - FREE Travel Ambassador Workshop: Would you like to know what transportation options are available in Pierce County and how to travel throughout the region? You are invited to attend a FREE Travel Ambassador Workshop. This program is designed to give an overview of travel options in our community. It is especially valuable for social service and agency professionals who serve seniors, people with disabilities, and people with low incomes.

You will learn about:

  • How to take a bus and access route planning help for both local and regional travel.
  • The ORCA card -what it is and how to use it
  • Volunteer driver transportation services available in Pierce County
  • How to get a �Bus Buddy� for one-to-one help with using the bus
  • What Medicaid Paratransit service is and who is elgible
  • What Shuttle service is and who is eligible
  • Beyond the Borders, free transportation in rural Pierce County
  • Puget Sound Educational Services District Work First transportation
  • United Way�s 211 Travel information

You will receive a free �Getting Around Puget Sound� toolkit with Pierce County travel information. Refreshments will be provided!

Please register by October 3, 2014. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. To register please contact: Penny Grellier, Catholic Community Services at PennyG@ccsww.org or 253-502-2708.

Friday, October 17, 2014 8:30am - 1:00pm | Pierce Transit Training Center 3720 96th Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499

October 24Dr. Beth Benedict Presents: Early Intervention & Language Acquisition: The New Effective Approach FREE ADMISSION!! Dr. Beth Benedict is a professor at the Department of Communication Studies at Gallaudet University and is also the coordinator of Gallaudet's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants, Toddlers, and Families: Collaboration and Leadership Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program. She has published numerous articles and is a widely sought after lecturer on diverse topics including early intervention, early language acquisition, and family involvement. Click here to view the flyer.

The Lecture will be done in ASL and voice interpreted DeafBlind. Interpreting needs: email request at dhhreq@uw.edu before October 14th.

Friday, October 24th, 2014 6:30-8:30pm | Kane Hall 120, University of Washington, Seattle


Access Fund LogoOur mission is to promote access to technology and economic opportunity for individuals with disabilities in Washington State. The Washington Access Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

Washington Access Fund provides: Assistive Technology Loans, Business Equipment Loans, CCTV Rentals, and Matched Savings IDAs

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